9 Ways to Update Your Signature Beauty Look

It’s time to makeover your makeup bag and update your signature look. Read on for hair and makeup tweaks that will nudge you toward your freshest, most youthful self

1 / 10

Stuck in a beauty rut?

Changing your social media status? Easy. Changing your tried-and-true beauty routine? Not so much. But there are baby steps to road-test new trends and create new beauty habits that work for you without overhauling everything you know and love. It’s just like M.A.C Cosmetics’ Terry Barber says: “Wearing new makeup is like wearing new shoes: You’re never comfortable at first; you have to break them in.” That’s sound advice from a makeup maestro who helps to dictate backstage trends around the globe. Find your beauty footing without being a slave to trends and watch the compliments roll in!

2 / 10

If your signature is: Paint-by-numbers smoky eye

Shake it up with: Neutral, monochromatic lids

This season is all about monochromatic shadow in rich taupes, greys and beiges. If you’re used to a lot of eye makeup, this dialled-down version will feel a little naked at first, but nothing looks cooler than a strategically placed neutral colour that still commands attention. “If you’re buying a shadow for the season, think ochre, caramel or copper,” says Caitlin Callaghan, senior artist for M.A.C Cosmetics. “I wouldn’t do two eyeshadows – it’s not about that or pairing it with a ton of liner, shadow or mascara. It needs to live by itself,” adds the pro.

If your signature is: Brown pencil liner

Shake it up with: Liquid liner

Makeup artists were like sketch artists this season, free-handing everything from sharp feline cat eyes to mini face tattoos reminiscent of a girl on her way to Glastonbury, all with a trusty liquid liner in hand. To mimic it on your own, trace a fine line on your upper lash line first and, once you have a straight line or the shape you want, keep layering colour on top. Switch back and forth between eyes as you go so you don’t get lopsided results.

If your signature is: Candy apple red

Shake it up with: Dark and drastic oxblood or purple

Moody hues on short nails are once again fall’s best accessory. “I think a deep burgundy with a hint of purple is really wearable for most people,” says Madeline Poole, global colour ambassador for Sally Hansen. Remember to be extra-precise when painting as flaws show up readily with dark nails. “It’s about the finish. Always slide your brush across the tip of the nail so none of the white is showing – what nail artists refer to as ‘capping.’” This gets more mileage from your manicure.

If your signature is: French manicure

Shake it up with: Geometric white or pastel tips

If you love a French mani, paint your tips in a pastel colour, such as baby blue, turquoise or lilac, says Poole. Just remember to make the base colour super-sheer, but the tips should be opaque. “You want that contrast – I even love to do just a completely clear base and pastel or traditional white tips. That looks really fresh.”

If your signature is: Super-matte skin

Shake it up with: Skin that’s selfie-ready

Skin has nothing to hide. This season, foundation textures are camera-ready thanks to good-for-skin ingredients like hyaluronic acid (a mega-moisturizing molecule) and water-based textures, so skin shines through. “It’s very lived in and real. As soon as you put the makeup on, it should look like you’ve been wearing it for a couple of hours,” says Melissa Gibson, senior artist for M.A.C. Foundations that fuse seamlessly with your skin always look flawless and fresh.

If your signature is: Messy hair, don’t care

Shake it up with: Polished ponytails and buns

We’re seeing a return to upstyling, says Kristjan Hayden, creative director for Aveda Canada. “In previous seasons, it was all about the messy chignons and topknots. But now you see that updos are becoming more detailed, smooth and shiny – they aren’t just thrown together,” says the pro. Another big point of difference: You don’t see any frayed ends. “Ends are always tucked away inside the bun or smoothed – when the ends look polished, the overall look feels more put together,” says Hayden. Try a dry oil or cream to keep your hair in super-shiny and manageable shape.

If your signature is: Cotton scrunchies

Shake it up with: Leather hair wraps or satin ribbons

Sure, we’re all for ’90s nostalgia, but the scrunchie has got to go! Thankfully this season we are spoiled with choice: Designers were having a massive love affair with everything from bewelled clips and hair ribbons to leather accessories like hair bands and leather ponytail wraps. A thickening spray or texturizing spray can help keep your accessory from sliding about. Again, it’s about adding polish and a thoughtful finishing touch to your ‘do.

If your signature is: Berry lips

Shake it up with: Classic reds spiked with terracotta

Look-at-me lips are all saying the same thing: Rust is the new red to obsess over right now, thanks to Pantone, the colour authority that anointed Marsala, a muted brown-red, as the hottest hue of 2015. Make it your own by shading your lips with a lip brush – this gives maximum colour control. Try out a balm-like lipstick (nothing too matte or shiny) – this will deliver colour payoff without any high-maintenance touch-ups. For the colour shy, a slick of opaque gloss in rust or oxblood will do. “It’s a winner because it allows you to layer the intensity without sacrificing on cool colour,” says Callaghan.

If your signature is: Clear gloss

Shake it up with: Tawny nude lip colour

Bye-bye, basic gloss. A slick of ’70s-inspired nude will make you feel like a Charlie’s Angels series regular. The secret is to wear colour with enough contrast with your skin tone so you don’t look like you’ve erased your lips. A rich, luxurious opaque nude with a hint of sheen gives lips life and looks like you’re on-trend.